Joshua Leroy Shoop, 87, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday, October 22, 2018 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

Born December 23, 1930 in Pure Air, Missouri, Joshua was the son of the late Ernest Dewey and Myrtle Irene (Jefferies) Shoop. On June 7, 1968 in Pure Air, Missouri, Joshua was united in marriage to Vonda Lee Niece.

Josh is survived by his wife Vonda of fifty years; three daughters and sons-in-law, Lyla and Daniel Starbuck of Plattsmouth, NE, Carol and Tom Daugherty of Novinger, MO, and Susan and Cliff Forbis of St. Peters, MO; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one brother, John Shoop, and two sisters, Carol Hieidmann and Shirley Bushnell.

Josh was a graduate from Novinger R-I High School with the Class of 1948 and went on to receive his Master's in Education at Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College in Kirksville. He served his country in the United State Army during the Korean Conflict and after being honorably discharged returned to Kirksville where he begin his teaching career. He taught in several area rural schools before last teaching at Kirksville High School until retiring in 1994.

Josh enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, raising cattle, and was great in marksmanship. Most of all he will be remembered for being a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved time spent with his family.

Josh was a forty-five year member and treasurer of the Pure Air Baptist Church, and was also a member of NRA, Shooting Sports, Prairie Foundation, Civilian Marksmanship Program, V.F.W. and of the Missouri State Teacher's Association.

Public visitation will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 after 4:00 p.m. and family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Pastor Andy Cordray officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Pratt Cemetery, southwest of Novinger, MO.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Josh Shoop may be made to the Pratt Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.